Islamic Guide On Women Outlines When It Is Acceptable To Discipline Them

It takes a special kind of willingness to turn a blind eye to what one claims to abhor. No less than twice in the last six to seven months Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has remarked on the crime of violence against women:

“Violence against women is a violation of the most basic human rights. It destroys lives, tears families apart, impacts entire communities, and has no place within our society,” Trudeau said in a official statementissued on November, 25 2015.

“As leaders, as parents, as community members, we need to make sure we are combating misogyny in all its forms, wherever it is found,” he added. “I urge all Canadians to make a commitment to stopping violence against women and girls… Together, we can create a Canada and a world where all citizens are respected, valued equally, and safe from violence.”

And then there was this in March.

“It is unacceptable that in 2016, women are still denied an education, forced into an early marriage, or made victims of gender-based violence. As leaders, as parents, as community members, upholding women’s rights should be – and must be – a priority for us all.”

So, it comes as a bit of a shock to those who observe Canada as a bastion of all things polite and gentile, that a group espousing and evangelizing for Islam with a booth in Dundas Square has been observed handing out a “how to” guide when it comes to disciplining women Islamist style. Included in the instructions are statements such as these regarding how many wives are allowed, using sex as a disciplining measure, and when it is acceptable to beat a wife (as well as how it should be done). (Thanks to cijnews.com for the excerpts from “Women in Islam & Refutation of some Common Misconceptions,” authored by the Saudi scholar Dr. Abdul-Rahman al-Sheha.)

Polygamy in the Islamic society is limited to four wives only, the marriages being performed lawfully with a proper marriage contract, witnesses, etc. The man must bear all financial burdens and responsibilities to his wives and children that arise from his marriages. All the children are legitimate, who must be raised and cared for under the responsibility of both parents…

“Wife Discipline

Allah, the Exalted, stated in the Glorious Qur’an: “(… As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next,) refuse to share their beds, (and last,) beat them (lightly, if it is useful). But if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Most High, Most Great.) [4:34]

“Islam forbids beating women and warns strictly against it. The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) never beat any of his wives or servants, as his wife Aishah (may Allah exalt their mention) reported in an authentic tradition (Bukhari #2328). Women are, in general, weaker than men in their physique and stamina. Women are often unable to defend themselves against violence. Although beating of women is generally forbidden, Islam permits the beating of wives in a restricted and limited sense only as a final solution and acceptable valid reason when all else fails. This is analogous to spanking children when all else fails and they must learn a lesson in obedience for their own protection and success.

“In the verse we quoted, Allah deals with the case of a wife who behaves immorally towards her husband’s rights. The treatment of this extremely sensitive issue comes in gradual stages, as we have noticed from the verse. Medicine, or treatment of any ailment, can be very bitter at times. But an ill person will take the remedy gladly and bear the bitterness of the medicine in order to be cured from his illness. The remedy to treat a wife blameworthy of immoral behavior, as we have noticed, comes in three gradual stages:

“1. First stage: The stage of advice, counseling and warning against Allah’s punishment. A husband must remind his wife of the importance of protecting his rights in Islam. This stage is a very kind and easy one. But, if this treatment does not work and proves to be ineffective, then the husband may resort to the next stage.

“2. Second stage: To leave the wife’s bed. Or, if one sleeps in the same bed with her, he will turn his back to her, not touch her, talk to her or have intercourse with her. This stage, as noticed, combines both strictness and kindness, although it is a very harsh practice on both. But, if this treatment does not work, then the husband may resort to the final stage of discipline explained below.

“3. Third and final stage: Beating without hurting, breaking a bone, leaving black or blue marks on the body, and avoiding hitting the face or especially sensitive places at any cost. The purpose of beating her is only to discipline and never retaliation or with desire to hurt by any means. Islam forbids severe beating as punishment.

“The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said: “None of you should beat his wife like a slave-beating and then have intercourse with her at the end of the day”. [Bukhari #4908]

So, the bitter pill for a wife not submitting* to her husband in Islam is Allah-approved sleeping in another bed, or light beating – that the more mouse-like women among us might mistake for something akin to affection, according to the book. And this proscription for living is being promoted in Canada where the Prime Minister rightly calls out violence against women as a crime.

About the Author

A resident of Flyover Country, Cultural Limits is a rare creature in American Conservatism - committed to not just small government, Christianity and traditional social roles, but non-profits and high arts and culture. Watching politics, observing human behavior and writing are all long-time interests.
In her other life, CL writes romance novels under her nom de plume, Patricia Holden (@PatriciaHoldenAuthor on Facebook), and crochets like a mad woman (designs can be found on Facebook @BohemianFlairCrochet and on Pinterest on the Bohemian Flair Crochet board).
In religion, CL is Catholic; in work, the jill of all trades when it comes to fundraising software manipulation and event planning; in play, a classically trained soprano and proud citizen of Cardinal Nation, although, during hockey season, Bleeds Blue. She lives in the Mid-Mississippi River Valley with family and two cute and charming tyrants...make that toy dogs.